REVIEW
gig
Old Subbacultcha
Old Subbacultcha
Sivu plays to a sold out audience at londons roundhouse
Published
It wasn’t all about Prince this week at The Roundhouse, just next door in the Studio Theatre Sivu played to sold out crowd of his very own, for those who resisted the pull of the purple one were richly rewarded.
James Page AKA Sivu has been steadily building a dedicated fan base, picking up radio air time (Zane Lowe has been championing the new single), releasing sublime remixes (check out the Aquilo remix of
My Oh My), duetting with Marika Hackerman and enticing Subba-Cultcha with his EPs for a nearly a year now, after some extensive touring he brings his unique alt-folk, electronica tinged songs to The Roundhouse.
Sivu @ The Roundhouse, Studio Theatre 8/10
The ten song long set list, despite being only ten (!) songs manages to demonstrate what a diverse and intriguing songwriter Sivu is.Bodies taken from 2013’s EP of the same name (read Subba-Cultcha’s review
here) mixes electronic harmonies and quasi religious lyrics to produce an hypnotic and dreamy sound, whereas
God Speaks in Tongues is more of a straightforward guitar based song, regardless of the musical genre paths the songs take it is always Sivu’s spidery vocals that weave everything together. Throughout the set Sivu alternates between being the solo artist, like on the acoustic, ballad-esque, storytelling
Family Tree and full band sound with tracks like the Bombay Bicycle Club imbued single
Cant Stop Now.
Comparisons have already been made with Wild Beasts Hayden Thorpe with reference to their vocal styles, but don’t be too eager to associate only the falsetto;
Better Man Than He features a lower-than-low chorus. The recent single
Cant Stop Now brings together a completely different sound entirely, multi-layered with vocal samples and loops, a funky beat and electronic sounds, its an epic and pulsating pop song.
He finished the triumphant set with the beautiful
Sleep, mixing fuzzy guitars with haunting lyrics, it is a truly wonderful performance that delighted and charmed old and new fans alike. Surely an album must be in the imminent; Subba-Cultcha looks forward to its release and Sivu’s future live performances. Support came from the rather brilliant, Raffertie, playing minimalist electronica songs from his acclaimed album
Sleep of Reason and a rousing cover of
Like a Prayer. http://sivusivu.co.uk/